GANSEVOORT
Beatrice A. Strong, age 100 and a long time resident of Gansevoort, passed away peacefully at the Fort Hudson Nursing Center on Sunday, December 27, 2009 surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 30, 1909 in Granville, she was the daughter of the late Jessie and Zoa Belle (Bramer) Smith.

Bea married the love of her life, George C. Strong, in Gansevoort on July 10, 1926. They shared the next 60 years of their lives together before his passing in 1987.

Bea simply loved life and experienced it to the fullest at every opportunity. She enjoyed singing, and particularly liked the Christian hymns “Old Rugged Cross” and “In the Garden.” She was an avid collector of stamps and kept albums of her collection for others to view. She also took considerable pleasure in crocheting, knitting and baking. And of particular delight to her, Bea adored babies and infants, a fortunate circumstance considering she had five sons, three daughters, 33 grandchildren, and so many great and great-great grandchildren it was difficult to keep them all straight.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Beatrice was predeceased by her son, Frederick N. Strong; a grandson, Frederick W. Strong; her brothers, Ronald and Gordon Smith; her sister, Kate Brayton; her half-brother, Albert Dickinson; her half-sister, Marion Dickinson; a brother-in-law, Roland Lemery; her sons-in law, Forrest Spaulding and Earl J. Carr; as well as a daughter-in-law, Zelda M. Strong.

Beatrice is survived by her daughters, Adorna Spaulding of South Glens Falls, Jane LaFountain and her husband Lawrence of Wilton, and Beatrice Carr of Fort Edward; her sons, Gordon W. Strong and his wife Margaret of Gansevoort, Forrest “Doc” Strong of Glens Falls, George Strong and his wife Betty of Wilton, and Thomas Strong and his wife Harriet or Fort Edward; her sister, Mert Lemery of Burlington, VT; 33 grandchildren; as well as several great and great-great grandchildren.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at the M. B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens Falls.

A funeral service was held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30th at the funeral home with Regina Haag, of The Adirondack Friends Meeting, officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted 11:00am Monday April 12, 2010 at the Gansevoort Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers, doctors, nurses and staff of the Fort Hudson Nursing Center who cared for “Grandma B” during her stay with them.

The family suggests donations be made to the charity of one’s choice.

To view the Book of Memories and post online condolences go to kilmerfuneralhome.com.

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